Philosophy of Social Sciences (PHD102)

The general aim of the philosophy of social science is to resolve the many axiological, ontological, epistemological and methodological issues to which social science gives rise. The course provides an introduction to current debates over some of the most important of these issues.


Course description for study year 2024-2025. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

PHD102

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

5

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

English

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

The course focuses on the following issues:

  • The general nature of social science, and the relation between social science and natural science.
  • The general nature of social reality, and the sense in which social phenomena may be said to be socially constructed.
  • The role of values in social science, and the sense in which, and the extent to which, social science can be objective.
  • The role of causal claims in social science, and the scientific significance of having to distinguish between different concepts of causation and causal evidence.
  • The nature of explanation in social science, and the difference between holism and individualism about explanation.
  • The role of interpretation in social science, and the sense in which, and the extent to which, social science may be characterized as interpretative.
  • The nature of rationality, and the role of rationality assumptions in social science.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course, students should:

  • Have advanced knowledge of central issues in the philosophy of social science.
  • Have advanced knowledge of major approaches to the relevant issues.
  • Have advanced knowledge of the relevance of the philosophy of social science for social scientific research.

Skills

After completing the course, students should:

  • Be able to formulate new research questions within the philosophy of social science.
  • Be able to conduct research in the philosophy of social science at an international level.
  • Be able to apply concepts and theories within the philosophy of social science to social scientific research in fruitful ways.

General competence

After completing the course, students should:

  • Be able to communicate the results of research in the philosophy of social science through recognized national and international channels.
  • Be able to participate in debates within the philosophy of social science in international fora.
  • Be able to identify new and relevant ethical challenges, and conduct their research with academic integrity.

Required prerequisite knowledge

Participants must be enrolled in a PhD programme.

Recommended prerequisites

The course is integrated with PHD101: Research Design, but can also be taken as a stand-alone course.

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Individual paper 1/1 Passed / Not Passed

An individual paper of 4000 words (+/- 10%) in English on a self-chosen topic approved by the instructor. The paper must be submitted six weeks after the end of the course and will be evaluated as Pass/Fail.

Coursework requirements

At least one presentation. Active participation in discussions

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Tarjei Mandt Larsen

Method of work

The course will be given in the form of five full-day seminars. A detailed timetable will be made available at the beginning of the course-semester.

Open for

PhD candidates enrolled in PhD programmes at the University of Stavanger or accredited universities/university colleges in Norway or abroad.

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto